{"id":218392,"date":"2026-01-23T14:07:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T14:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/23\/fernando-mendoza-addresses-raiders-rumors-declares-for-2026-nfl-draft\/"},"modified":"2026-01-23T14:07:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T14:07:08","slug":"fernando-mendoza-addresses-raiders-rumors-declares-for-2026-nfl-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/23\/fernando-mendoza-addresses-raiders-rumors-declares-for-2026-nfl-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"Fernando Mendoza Addresses Raiders Rumors, Declares for 2026 NFL Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza<\/strong><\/a> is gearing up for the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get to work,\u201d Mendoza, 22, captioned an Instagram video<\/a> on Friday, January 23. \u201cI\u2019m humbled to announce that I am officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft!\u201d<\/p>\n

The clip featured a supercut of Mendoza\u2019s highlights from his history-making season with the IU Hoosiers football team. Mendoza also spoke directly to the camera about his next steps.<\/p>\n

\u201cComing to Indiana was a leap of faith. A leap that led me to go 16-0 with my boys and a National Championship, and has now led me here. The moment where I get to dream bigger,\u201d he said. \u201cThank you to my family, the teammates that pushed me and the coaches that took a chance on me. It is only with your support and the glory of God that I am here today.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>What Disease Does IU QB Fernando Mendoza’s Mom Have? Inside Her MS Battle<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tIndiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza has made headlines for his work on and off the field. Not only has 22-year-old Fernando led the Hoosiers football team to a landmark season in 2025, earning the school their first Big Ten Championship since 1967, but he\u2019s also made it his mission to give back. Fernando and his [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Mendoza poked fun at his LinkedIn profile<\/a> becoming a viral sensation over the past football season and told followers that he\u2019s now \u201copen to work\u201d and is \u201cofficially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.\u201d<\/p>\n

During a Friday morning appearance on Good Morning America<\/em><\/a>, Mendoza said that he\u2019d be \u201cgrateful\u201d to get drafted by any team while also addressing those ongoing rumors that he\u2019ll be a first round draft pick and sign with the Las Vegas Raiders.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would be a dream come true,\u201d Mendoza said when asked what it would mean to play professional football, especially for a team that is coowned by NFL legend Tom Brady<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

After playing football at the University of California, Berkeley from 2022 to 2024, Mendoza entered the NCAA transfer portal and brought his football prowess to Bloomington, Indiana. By 2025, he was the team\u2019s starting quarterback, leading the Hoosiers to a historic undefeated season. (The Hoosiers beat the University of Miami Hurricanes 27-21 on Monday, January 19, winning their first-ever National Championship. Brady was notably in attendance.)<\/p>\n

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Mendoza admitted that bringing Indiana to its first National Championship has \u201cslowly\u201d started sinking in.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs very low recruits and as the misfits of Indiana, we never expected to win a National Championship,\u201d he explained. \u201cHaving that belief in ourselves and finally winning it, we made sure to party hard after and celebrate<\/a> accordingly.\u201d<\/p>\n

IU\u2019s football program was historically one of the worst in the nation, before Coach Curt Cignetti<\/strong> stepped on campus in 2024 and completely overhauled the program.<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Indiana University Quarterback Fernando Mendoza\u2019s Family Guide<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tThe 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza has taken the Indiana University football team to new heights \u2014 but the athlete couldn\u2019t have done it without his supportive family by his side. \u201cMy lifelong teammate, Alberto, my brother, my closest confidant. The one I trust more than anybody to get through a tough day, tough [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Mendoza\u2019s 2026 Draft announcement came hours after he made a special appearance on the Thursday, January 22, episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon<\/em><\/a>. The athlete showed off his throwing arm to break several vinyl records to show off that \u201crecord-breaking\u201d throw.<\/p>\n

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